Psychedelic Mushrooms: Do They Show In Drug Tests?

Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are fungi that contain the psychoactive compounds psilocybin and psilocin. When ingested, these compounds can induce hallucinations and alter perception, mood, and consciousness. Given the widespread use of psilocybin mushrooms, with 11.3% of individuals aged 12 or older in the United States reporting their usage in 2022, it is essential to understand whether they can be detected in drug tests. Standard drug tests, such as 5-panel or 10-panel urine tests, commonly used by employers or in clinical settings, typically do not screen for psilocybin or psilocin. However, specialized tests, including urine, blood, saliva, hair follicle, and fingernail tests, can detect these compounds, with varying detection windows depending on the test type.

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Standard drug tests

Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are not typically detected in standard drug tests. Most standard drug tests are 5-panel or 10-panel urine tests, which screen for more commonly abused substances like THC (marijuana), cocaine, amphetamines, opioids, and phencyclidine (PCP). These tests are often used by employers or probation offices and are designed to detect drugs that are more commonly associated with workplace impairment or that may have legal implications for safety-sensitive positions.

Psilocybin mushrooms are not included in these standard panels because they are metabolised and excreted by the body relatively quickly. It takes about 15 hours for psilocybin to be completely eliminated from the body, and psilocin, its active metabolite, has a half-life of around 1.8 to 3 hours, with about 66-75% excreted within 3-3.5 hours. After 24 hours, these compounds are typically no longer detectable in urine, although there are individual variations.

However, psilocybin mushrooms can be detected in specialised tests, which are less commonly used. These specialised tests can detect psilocybin and psilocin in urine, saliva, blood, or hair follicles. Hair follicle testing, for example, can detect these compounds for up to 90 days, but it is more costly and less commonly performed than urine tests. Fingernail tests can also detect psilocybin for up to six months, but they are rarely administered due to their specialised nature.

Therefore, while psilocybin mushrooms will not show up on standard drug tests, they can be detected in specialised tests, especially if the test is conducted within 24 hours of consumption.

Specialized tests

Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as shrooms, are hallucinogenic fungi that contain the psychoactive compounds psilocybin and psilocin. While they do not appear on common drug tests, specialized tests can detect their presence.

• Urine Tests: Urine tests have a short detection window, typically up to 24 hours after ingestion. These tests are the most common type used to detect shrooms.
• Saliva Tests: Saliva tests also have a detection window of up to 24 hours but is usually shorter compared to urine tests. Some saliva tests can detect psilocin as soon as 30 minutes after ingestion.
• Blood Tests: Blood tests have an even shorter detection window, typically up to 12 to 15 hours after ingestion.
• Hair Tests: Hair tests can reveal past use, detecting psilocybin for up to 3 months or 90 days. Specialized methods like Liquid Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) can confirm the presence of psilocybin in hair samples.
• Fingernail Tests: Fingernail tests have a long detection window of 3 to 6 months. Psilocybin becomes incorporated into the keratin fibers as the nail grows, making it detectable for an extended period.

It is important to note that the detection windows may vary depending on individual factors such as dosage, potency of the mushrooms, and personal tolerance levels. Additionally, specialized tests for psilocybin mushrooms are not widely administered, and they may be more expensive and less common than standard urine tests.

Detection times

Psilocybin mushrooms do not show up on standard drug tests such as the common 5, 8, 10, or 12-panel urine tests. These tests typically screen for more commonly abused substances like THC, cocaine, amphetamines, opioids, and PCP. However, specialized tests designed to detect psilocybin and its metabolite psilocin can identify mushroom use under certain circumstances.

The detection times for psilocybin mushrooms vary depending on the type of test being used. Here are the typical detection times for different types of tests:

Urine Tests

Urinalysis is the most commonly used type of drug testing, especially in workplace settings. Psilocybin mushrooms can be detected in urine for a short period, typically up to 24 hours after ingestion. However, some sources suggest that traces of psilocybin may be detectable for up to 48 hours in specialized tests. After 24 hours, the compounds are generally no longer detectable in urine, but individual factors such as dosage, potency, and personal tolerance levels can affect these timings.

Blood Tests

Blood tests have an even shorter detection window for psilocybin mushrooms, typically up to 12 to 15 hours post-ingestion. This is because the body metabolizes psilocybin mushrooms quickly, making detection tricky in blood tests unless the test occurs promptly after ingestion.

Saliva Tests

Specialized saliva panels can detect psilocybin mushrooms for up to 24 hours after ingestion. However, the detection window is usually shorter compared to urine or blood tests. Saliva tests can begin to detect psilocin as soon as 30 minutes after ingesting psilocybin mushrooms.

Hair Tests

Hair follicle testing can detect psilocybin and psilocin for a much longer period, up to 90 days after use. This is because hair grows at a rate of about one-half inch per month, and the metabolites of psilocybin become incorporated into the hair as it grows. However, hair tests are less common than urine tests due to their higher cost and specialized nature.

Fingernail Tests

Fingernail tests have the longest detection window, as psilocybin can be detected in fingernails for up to six months. This is because the metabolites of psilocybin embed in the nail keratin during nail growth. However, fingernail tests are rarely administered due to their specialized nature and longer time frame for results.

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Metabolism

Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as shrooms, magic mushrooms, or hallucinogenic mushrooms, contain the psychoactive compounds psilocybin and psilocin. When ingested, these compounds can induce changes in perception, mood, and consciousness, leading to vivid hallucinations.

The detection of psilocybin mushrooms in drug tests depends on several factors, including the type of test, the dosage, and individual factors such as body weight and metabolism.

Psilocybin mushrooms have a relatively short detection window compared to other substances due to their rapid metabolism. After ingestion, psilocybin is quickly metabolized into psilocin, which is then eliminated from the body within a few hours to a couple of days for most casual users. The half-life of psilocin is estimated to be between 1.8 to 3 hours, while psilocybin has a half-life of about 3 hours. This means that psilocin is typically eliminated from the body within 15 hours, and psilocybin within 6 hours.

The rapid metabolism of psilocybin mushrooms makes their detection in drug tests challenging unless the testing occurs soon after ingestion. The detection window is usually less than one day, and the compounds are no longer detectable in urine after 24 hours. Individual factors such as dosage, potency of the mushrooms, and personal tolerance levels can also affect the metabolism and detection of psilocybin mushrooms. Higher dosages may remain in the body for longer, and more potent mushrooms may contain more active compounds, prolonging their presence in the body.

Types of Drug Tests

The type of drug test administered also plays a crucial role in detecting psilocybin mushrooms. Standard drug tests, such as 5-panel or 10-panel urine tests commonly used by employers or probation offices, typically do not screen for psilocybin or psilocin. These tests usually focus on more common substances, such as THC, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, and PCP.

However, specialized tests can detect psilocybin mushrooms under certain circumstances. These include urine, blood, saliva, hair follicle, and fingernail tests specifically designed to detect hallucinogens. The detection windows for these specialized tests vary, with urine, saliva, and blood tests detecting psilocybin for up to 24 hours, blood tests for up to 12-15 hours, hair tests for up to 90 days, and fingernail tests for up to 6 months.

Legal status

Psilocybin mushrooms, often referred to as magic mushrooms, are classified as a controlled substance in many regions. The legal status of psilocybin varies by jurisdiction, with some areas decriminalizing its use while others maintain strict prohibitions. In most countries, including the United States, psilocybin is classified as a Schedule I drug, indicating a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use.

In the United States, the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 classifies magic mushrooms as a Class A drug, carrying the most severe penalties. Possession of magic mushrooms can result in up to seven years of imprisonment, an unlimited fine, or both. The production and supply of these mushrooms carry even harsher penalties, including life imprisonment, an unlimited fine, or both.

The legal implications of testing positive for psilocybin can be significant, including criminal charges or job loss. It is essential to understand the legal status of psilocybin mushrooms in your specific region and be aware of the potential health and legal risks associated with their use.

Standard drug tests such as those used for employment screening, typically do not test for psilocybin mushrooms. These tests usually focus on more common substances, such as cannabis, amphetamines, cocaine, opioids, and phencyclidine (PCP). However, specialized tests are available that specifically target psilocybin and its metabolite, psilocin. These tests can be conducted on urine, saliva, blood, or hair follicles and are often used in legal or employment scenarios where there is a particular reason to suspect psilocybin use.

The detection window for psilocybin in standard urine tests is relatively short, usually within 24 hours of consumption. Blood tests have an even shorter detection window, typically only a few hours. In contrast, hair tests can detect psilocybin for up to 90 days after use, providing a comprehensive view of long-term drug use.

Frequently asked questions